I got hit!!

[gaz]

First off. i'm ok..

I was cycling down St James' Road in Croydon. Coming up to a junction.. and a car just pulls out at the very last min. i shouted and swerved by he still hit my side on. rolled onto his bonnet and twisted in the air and onto to ground. Luckily i had a helmet on as my head hit the ground. After hitting the deck i got the driver and a few other people coming up asking if i was ok.. luckily i felt ok. and the usual police and ambulance came to check me out and get statements from me and the driver.

The only injures i have are grazes. one big one on my shoulder where i hit the bonnet and the ground. and one on my right leg? i was hit from the left so not sure how i got that, but that is the worst...

After an hour in hospital i've got nothing wrong with me, apart from my grazes.

I've got all his details, so will be talking to his insurance company regarding getting costs for fixing my bike, a new helmet and cover for my travel into work whilst i can't cycle!

Can anyone give me advice on what else to do? i've seen a few others mention the CtC (not sure?) but it's not something you take much note of until your in that situation.


I will post pictures of my bike when it's light tomorrow, but from what i saw it mostly looks like the front wheel is buckled and possibly damage to the front forks.

 

[davidg]

glad you are okay, gaz....

joining London CC may be helpful...look at their website
stuff on this page

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=391

 

[Noodley]

Glad you are 'okay' but wait til the morning to see how you feel, and you might think it worthwhile to claim for injury sustained, however minor.

CTC would be a good starting point.

 

[mike e]

Good to hear your ok.

 

[Chamfus Flange]

See the the CAB there nearly alway helpful in these situtions.



.

 

[NormanD]

Glad you're ok Gaz

 

[longers]

Glad you're ok tonight. Hope you're as well tomorrow Gaz.

Joining the CTC tomorrow will cover you for legal help etc I hope you won't need.

 

[Aperitif]

Good that you feel ok gaz. It is prudent to have coverage in any case, which is why I joined the CTC. I think British Cycling offer some form of legal assistance / insurance scheme also - not sure of the details. The CTC has a sound legal assistance reputation.

 

[fossyant]

Bad luck there fella. You'll ache tomorrow......

Glad you are OK.

 

[yenrod]

First off. i'm ok..

I was cycling down St James' Road in Croydon. Coming up to a junction.. and a car just pulls out at the very last min. i shouted and swerved by he still hit my side on. rolled onto his bonnet and twisted in the air and onto to ground. Luckily i had a helmet on as my head hit the ground. After hitting the deck i got the driver and a few other people coming up asking if i was ok.. luckily i felt ok. and the usual police and ambulance came to check me out and get statements from me and the driver.

The only injures i have are grazes. one big one on my shoulder where i hit the bonnet and the ground. and one on my right leg? i was hit from the left so not sure how i got that, but that is the worst...

After an hour in hospital i've got nothing wrong with me, apart from my grazes.

I've got all his details, so will be talking to his insurance company regarding getting costs for fixing my bike, a new helmet and cover for my travel into work whilst i can't cycle!

Can anyone give me advice on what else to do? i've seen a few others mention the CtC (not sure?) but it's not something you take much note of until your in that situation.


I will post pictures of my bike when it's light tomorrow, but from what i saw it mostly looks like the front wheel is buckled and possibly damage to the front forks.

I'm sure your friendly local bike shop can provide a quote this bike www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=35124 you where on !!!!!! !

 

[Bollo]

Glad you're ok gaz.

I've been in the same situation and here's what I learned.....

Don't assume because you feel ok today that you've not done any persistent damage. My off caused some long-term shoulder problems that weren't obvious until a few weeks after the incident.

As soon as you start dealing with matey's insurance, you are entering a world where right and wrong mean bugger all. They will try any and all means to reduce their exposure, fair or not.

If there's no real damage to you, you are only entitled to claim for actual damage to your bike through the small claims. You are not entitled to claim for any inconvenience or loss of earnings as a result of the damage. Whether you're a member of the CTC, BC or not, a solicitor will not generally get involved in a small claims case. You're on your own. It costs about £50 to bring a case from memory, so the best result will be that you're £50 out of pocket. His insurance won't even speak to you unless you threaten a court case at least.

If you've been injured - and you have, even if its only minor, then solicitors will get the whiff of money and you'll find someone who'll take it on on a no-win no-fee basis. You're a lot better off getting a specialist solicitor for this, as the insurance company will try all the harder to reduce the claim if they think your brief is clueless. The CTC's Russell, Jones and Walker were excellent in my case, but other solicitors are available. You'll also be able to claim for any loss of earnings due to the injury.

Keep all receipts and keep a diary. As long as he was taxed, insured and sober, you'll most likely get a polite call from plod saying they're not going to prosecute the driver. Even so, get a copy of attending plod's notes.

The horse-trading with his insurance company will be hugely frustrating, but persistence pays off.

Did I mention that insurance companies are ladies' front bottoms?

 

[gaz]

Cheers bollo, exactly what i was looking for.

 

[Keith Oates]

Glad you seem to be OK gaz, hope that any bruising and soreness goes away quickly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ComedyPilot]

Oooooooffffffffff.

Bad one fella, glad you're ok though.

 

[Speck]

Glad you are more or less ok Gaz.

Are the Police going to prosecute him or her?